NHRA or IHRA
 

Stockers, which do you prefer, NHRA or IHRA and why?

Re: NHRA or IHRA
 

Both have good and bad points. IHRA, most of their Divisional races are doubles (two races in one weekend). For someone that lives in an area like me (on the PA/OH line), it costs me a thousand dollars (or more) every weekend I would race, if I still did (exception is Norwalk and Columbus for NHRA; Pittsburgh for IHRA). Every other race is a three-hundred mile (or more) tow. At least in IHRA, I get two chances to race for that $1,000 expense (gas, tolls, hotel, entry, meals, etc). So if I had to choose between, say, Budds Creek Pro-Am or Maple Grove LODRS, I'm going to B.C. every time.

As far as cars go, my personal recommendation is to build an NHRA-legal car. That way, you can run both NHRA and IHRA. IHRA has several classes that are not included in NHRA (Stock GT, Pure Stock and Crate Motor). Plus, some S/SS Combos and Associations do not allow IHRA cars. So in that regard, I suggest building a 'traditional' Stocker.

Again, you will find a lot of good and bad with either of the HRA's. Find one that has a schedule, proximity, etc that works for you, where you live and choose one. Or, like I did, run some of both.

Re: NHRA or IHRA
 

Ditto what Mike says. If you're going to build a car, make it a traditional stocker. Only exception might be, if you are in the vicinity of a lot of IHRA tracks.

I started putting parts together for a crate motor car. Project got stalled. Headache of IHRA only cars, as Mike also mentioned, many combos don't allow them. I might put the car together at some future date. Decided to go the traditional route myself.

Re: NHRA or IHRA
 

As already mentioned, I recommend building an NHRA approved stocker as well. Even if you don't intend on running NHRA, I would build it just in case.

IHRA has a family feel to it. The tech guys are friendly and they will listen to your input and suggestions on how to improve the program. Also, two races for the same travel cost is always a plus in my book (Entry fee is $135 per race). The contingency money is not as much as NHRA (mainly due to not having enough support at these races from racers). The tournament of champions is good and bad, in my opinion. I think it's good because you don't have to attend 14 races to win a championship like NHRA. However, if you do extremely well all year and lose first round you're done.

NHRA has a little higher entry fee (around $160). The contingency money is better and there are generally better car counts. Usually, the racers are treated better at IHRA races.

Re: NHRA or IHRA
 

Contingency money was better in IHRA 10 years ago than what it is now in NHRA, which should serve as a wake-up call. "Where will be in another 10 years?" Stories like that from Strange Engineering indicates that they haven't heard that wake-up call yet.

Plus side of NHRA is the exposure provided by National Dragster. Since their print coverage has been scaled back, so has the value of that exposure. Contingency payouts are better.

Plus side of IHRA is their schedule. Much less time off work required, as the races are typically Sat-Sun with parking & tech on Friday. Tech is actually open til 8-9 pm on move-in day instead of closing at 5:00:00 on the button, so people don't have to beat themselves to try to get there on time and kill yet another work day. A lot more racing in a lot less time.

Re: NHRA or IHRA
 

Ya But ...." REAL" Drag Racing is a quartermile.